With the country still in the midst of lockdown and no sign of any live music in the foreseeable future if at all this year I thought I would take the opportunity to look back in the archives, sounds posh I know but it’s just an spreadsheet, and revisit gigs I attended on this day down the years. I will keep this going until I can attend my first gig again in person so hopefully this also brings back memories for my gig going chums who have joined me on this great musical journey down the years.
A busy one with four for today’s trip down memory lane for you down the years.
2019, Night Moves, Oslo, Hackney, London
Pure psych pop heaven with these guys reviewed here at the time.
2016, Robyn Hitchcock, West End Centre, Aldershot, UK
A bit of a mixed bag for me at this show with Mr Hitchcock that I reviewed here at the time.
1990, Pixies, Brixton Academy, London
This would have been the ‘Bossanova’ tour but with Pixies it doesn’t matter that much as the songs are so short there are plenty of tracks from across their other previous two albums.
This is peak Pixies and it’s the usual incendiary show and a breathless sweaty affair back in the days where I could mosh with the best of them. Its twenty eight songs of relentless energy and their classic quite loud approach that’s been copied by everyone since (Nirvana cough).
Good memories from around this time.
1986, Robert Cray, Hammersmith Palais, London
Talking of stunning shows, this one stands out from around this time and arguably the best time I have seen Robert Cray. It was of course the first time for me with Mr Cray kings of the laid back clean style of blues. It’s the ‘Strong Persuader’ tour but looking back at the set list now it’s a faultless collection of his finest songs from around this time.
The band are superb, Cray’s voice is just smooth, honeyed, velvety blanket that’s wraps itself around you and his guitar pickin is as pure as alpine water. One of my favourite blues gigs of all time.
That’s it for today’s trip down memory lane. Here’s hoping we can get to some form of normality soon although I have now had my first gig of 2021 cancelled today so that will take it to a full twelve months at least between gigs.
Support your small local venues and smaller artists in these difficult times, stay safe and keep on rockin y’all.